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Posts Filed Under: history

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Rebellious Councils

Today's special meeting is not the first time city council has acted against a mayor's agenda.

By Jamie Bradburn

City Hall, Front Street East at Jarvis St., north elevation, 1895 (now the site of the south St. Lawrence Market). City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 98.
5 Comments

Historicist: Post-ing About Toronto

A 1952 profile of our city in one of America's most popular magazines reveals we liked money. A lot.

By Jamie Bradburn

Cover of March 22, 1952 edition of The Saturday Evening Post. Illustrated by Amos Sewell.
2 Comments

It’s All Yours at Ontario Place

The landmark's evolution from a showcase of the province's achievements to a family amusement park.

By Jamie Bradburn

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4 Comments

Casa Mendoza Comes Down

From shipyard to sizzling food, the story of the last classic Humber Bay hospitality spot.

By Jamie Bradburn

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Historicist: Nights Out At The Naaz Theatre

From a village in Punjab to the first dedicated Bollywood theatre in North America.

By Kevin Plummer

The Naaz Theatre, 1430 Gerrard Street East, 1981, from the Toronto Public Library.
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Historicist: The Dennison School of Speech Correction

How a future mayor overcame a stammering problem and helped others with speech issues.

By Jamie Bradburn

Left to right: James C. McRuer, William Dennison (seated), and Mayor Nathan Phillips, swearing in William Dennison as city controller in 1959. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 1276.
11 Comments

The Rivers That Once Ran Through It

In his new book of photographs, Rivers Forgotten, Jeremy Kai reveals the underworld of Toronto's long-buried rivers and water systems.

By Carly Maga

The sewers that need the most strength take on an egg-shaped curve. Photo by Jeremy Kai.
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Historicist: The Cree & Ojibway Indian Hockey Tour

In 1928, two teams of aboriginal hockey players embarked on a barnstorming tour through Ontario and the northeastern United States.

By Kevin Plummer

Cree and Ojibway hockey teams, 11 January 1928, from City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 16, Series 71, Item 5619.
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Five Years of Vintage Ads

We celebrate the fifth anniversary of our Vintage Ads column with a best-of edition.

By Jamie Bradburn

Source: Toronto Life, February 1978.
4 Comments

More Lost Words

With news last week that three bookstores—The Book Mark, Glad Day, and Dragon Lady Comics—are to be sold or closed, we look back at some beloved bookshops from Toronto's past.

By Jamie Bradburn

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Historicist: Maclean’s Super-Amazing Captain Toronto Section

Was "Canada's National Magazine" hoping the rest of the country would hate Toronto more or was there love hidden under the sensational headlines?

By Jamie Bradburn

Cover, Maclean's, April 1972.
7 Comments

Lost Words

With news this week that three bookstores—The Book Mark, Glad Day, and Dragon Lady Comics—are to be sold or closed, we look back at some beloved bookshops from Toronto's past.

By Jamie Bradburn

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2 Comments

Historicist: “The Warmest Welcome, At An Inn”

For more than 100 years, a modest hotel graced the northeast corner of King and York Streets.

By Kevin Plummer

Shakespeare Hotel, c. 1865, from {a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shakespeare_Hotel,_northeast_corner_of_King_and_York_streets.jpg"}WikiMedia Commons{/a} (Originally from the {a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/torontohistory/4504689658/"}City of Toronto Archives{/a}).
1 Comment

Historicist: The Crash of Streetcar Number 1502

A streetcar accident led to a tragic Christmas Eve a century ago.

By Jamie Bradburn

Map of accident site, the Telegram, December 26, 1911.

Historical Holiday Hints: O Christmas Tree

Advice on the proper equipment for cutting your own tree and odes to the seasonal icon.

By Jamie Bradburn

"Excuse Me" by M. Myer, the News, December 23, 1911.
3 Comments

Historicist: The Two John Boyds

A father-son photography duo captured 80 years of Toronto's history.

By Kevin Plummer

Freezing rain with cars parked on the street, ca. 1925, by John Boyd Sr., from {a href="http://collectionscanada.gc.ca/pam_archives/index.php?fuseaction=genitem.displayItem&lang=eng&rec_nbr=000003194988"}Library and Archives Canada{/a} (PA-104956).
8 Comments

Branching Out at the Market

On the hunt for independent Christmas tree vendors, we caught up with the folks at Jeffrey Jordan's St. Lawrence Market lot.

By Edward Brown • Photos by Harry Choi

The Christmas tree lot located outside the north market at St. Lawrence Market.
1 Comment

Historical Holiday Hints: ‘Tis the Season for Gifts

Tips on making people-pleasing presents, plus tales from the retail frontlines of past Christmas fads.

By Jamie Bradburn

Source: the News, December 13, 1911.
4 Comments

Historicist: Hospitality Without Pretension

From first nights in Toronto to one-night stands, the Ford Hotel saw a broad cross-section of life.

By Jamie Bradburn

Postcard of the Ford Hotel. Image courtesy of {a href="http://www.oldstratforduponavon.com/toronto.html"}Postcards of the Past{/a}.
10 Comments

How Toronto Will Be Commemorating the War of 1812

Nearly two years of festivities planned for to mark the bicentenary

By Jamie Bradburn

The official logo of the War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemoration